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Clashes flare in Gaza during cease-fire

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One Palestinian hopes the cease-fire will last "for the sake of our children"

An Israeli says he believes the fighting will resume in one or two months

Human Rights Watch says the "well-being of civilians" should be the priority now

Shadia Abu Khusa survived an Israeli airstrike. But the fierce hit blew off the roof and cracked the facade of his home just north of Gaza City. Now he and his family are searching for a place to rent while they repair the damage.

As Palestinian fishermen returned to the sea and shopkeepers reopened their shuttered businesses, on the other side of the border Israel began withdrawing troops it had deployed as a threat of a ground invasion.

The troops were part of the Pillar of Defense offensive last week, launched to halt the daily rocket fire from Gaza into southern Israel.

Many in Israel's south near Gaza fear a resumption of missile fire.

Near Sderot, one of the southern Israeli towns long hammered by Palestinian militants, flatbed trucks were loaded with tanks and armored personnel carriers.

It was not a comforting sign for residents who have lived under the constant fear of militant rocket attacks from Gaza.

Schools remain closed in portions of southern Israel as a matter of precaution.

"The result is not very desirable, and it's not a cease-fire," one resident told a reporter on Thursday.

The resident, who was not identified, said "shell fire" could be heard in the distance.

"I don't like this result, and I believe the fight will break out again in one or two months."

Another resident said he was disappointed and angry with the outcome of the Israeli military campaign.

His opinion reflects a new poll in Israel that says 49% of the citizenry wanted the government to continue the military operation. The number of Israeli Jews who favored the cease-fire stood at 31%, the Maariv and Maagar Mohot Polling Institute said.

"We should launch ground attacks in Gaza to solve the problem in one stroke. No matter how long it takes. We are actually ready in both troops and morale, but now all the hopes come to nothing," the resident said.

Now that calm has been restored, said Michel Forst, speaking for a group of independent U.N. human rights experts, "our immediate thoughts go to the Palestinian and Israeli victims, especially women and children."

"We deplored that, as the result of the aerial and naval bombings in Gaza, over 100 civilians were killed and hundreds injured. We condemn the killings of journalists and targeting of media outlets. Furthermore, we deeply regret the destruction or damaging of houses, religious sites, schools and infrastructure," Forst said.

"We condemn the launching of indiscriminate rockets on Israeli neighborhoods which resulted in the killing of three confirmed Israeli civilians and in many being injured. The attack carried out in a bus in Tel Aviv amounts to a gross disregard for human life. Plainly stated, there is no possible justification whatsoever for this attack."